Uganda has announced a nationwide recruitment drive aimed at strengthening its cyber defense capabilities in response to rising digital threats. The initiative, dubbed Operation Cyber Digital Shield, seeks to establish a formal force of trained Cyber War Fighters, including both professionals and students, to safeguard the country’s digital infrastructure.
Spearheaded by the Cyber Security and Forensics Association of Uganda (CSFAU), the recruitment campaign follows the recent success of the Cyber Stars University Student Competition, and is part of Uganda’s broader efforts to build its cyber workforce. The country is increasingly recognizing the need for homegrown talent to defend against evolving cyber threats, which have become a critical concern for national security.
Marvin Kashaija Blessed, Director of CSFAU and a certified cybersecurity expert, emphasized the importance of this initiative. He explained that Uganda has long depended on external expertise for cyber defense but must now focus on developing its own pool of skilled professionals. “Cyber-attacks are no longer just criminal activities—they are acts of economic and geopolitical warfare that target our critical infrastructure. By investing in local talent, we are strengthening our borders in the digital domain,” Kashaija stated.
The recruitment drive aligns with Uganda’s National Cybersecurity Strategy, which aims to establish a highly skilled workforce capable of handling state-sponsored cyberattacks, financial system breaches, and threats to national infrastructure. According to Christine Mujimba, Director of ICT and Research at the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the economic toll of cybercrime underscores the urgency of investing in local human resources to combat digital threats. “The global cost of cybercrime is staggering. By equipping the younger generation with practical, outcome-based learning, we are bridging the skills gap and reinforcing national defenses against fraud and data breaches,” Mujimba said.
The new initiative offers three membership tiers: a professional tier for experts in policy and threat intelligence, a student tier for university students trained and certified for digital defense, and an affiliate tier for non-technical professionals needing organizational security skills.
CSFAU President Muganhwa Emmanuel Cliff called the recruitment a “national call to service.” “This is a call to arms for the digital generation,” he said. “By joining CSFAU, you are formally enlisting as a Cyber War Fighter, committed to protecting the data, systems, and sovereignty of our nation. The time to fortify our shield is now.”
Operation Cyber Digital Shield will run nationwide, with CSFAU taking a central role in shaping Uganda’s next generation of cyber-defense experts. As digital threats continue to grow in complexity, Uganda is determined to stay ahead of potential attacks and ensure the security of its national infrastructure for the future.
